In 2005, Burlington Automation Corporation introduced the PentArc 5-axis plasma cutting fabrication system for structural steel. Through user feedback and further design innovation, this breakthrough system evolved into today's PythonX 7-axis structural steel fabrication system – the first robotic plasma cutting machine tool that performs all the functions needed by structural steel fabricators . . . except welding, bolting and painting.
PythonX makes AISC-approved bolt holes, weld-prep bevel cuts, miter cuts, piece marks and layout marks. It drills slots, cuts notches and copes and cuts off sections to length . It performs all these functions, with pinpoint accuracy, on structural steel beams, HSS, channel, angle, plate. If the designer can draw it, PythonX can cut it using industry leading Hypertherm plasma technology.
Think plasma cutting is complicated? Think again. PythonX's PC- based operator interface accepts part detail files output by Tekla XSTEEL and other structural design packages. It uses the part file to determine the most efficient cutting sequence and paths. No operator layout, marking or programming is needed. He just pushes the 'START' button and PythonX's high-definition Hypertherm plasma torch cuts and drills all required features on the workpiece in a single pass.
'Lean Manufacturing' is the art of turning out a quality product with a minimum of inputs. It entails high material utilization, conservation of resources (energy, workspace), and reduction of non-value-added activities, rework and waste. The PythonX plasma cutting machine gets a structural steel fab shop ' lean' practically overnight.
First, because it can replace numerous traditional fabrication machines (see box at right), it reduces floorspace requirements for fabrication and eliminates the maintenance, tooling and manpower to run those machines. Second, because PythonX makes all needed cuts and holes in a single pass, all the material handling that was needed to move a steel beam from one traditional machine to another (like bandsaw to drill line to coping torch) is eliminated. Material handling is perhaps the most pervasive non-value activity done in structural steel fabrication shops.
That elimination of material handling means fab shops can reduce their non-skilled labor content, giving them a big cost advantage over competitors who don't use PythonX.
There are additional, less subtle ways that the PythonX plasma cutter can get your fab shop to 'ultra-lean'.